Residents living in Kitengela and its environs will have to wait longer to access commuter train services after the government's Ksh2 billion railway commuter project faced delays in implementation.
The project involves the construction of a two-link road valued at Ksh196 million, that would move passengers to a train station on the old Athi River – Kajiado railway line for the commute to Nairobi.
Reports indicate that the delay has been caused by the ongoing construction of the Nairobi expressway that has seen the project, meant to begin in 2018, stall for two years.
Further, Kitengela residents have lamented about their harrowing situation arguing that they take long hours to commute to the city.
"Commuting from Kitengela to Nairobi is a nightmare. Due to the construction of the Expressway, we are spending three to four hours to get to the city.
"The train could have come to our aid as most of us will not be able to use the chargeable expressway once complete," one resident noted.
The government in December 2018, launched the multibillion project in order to ease traffic along Mombasa road by encouraging commuters to use the train to enter into the city.
The motorists would park their cars at the station and board the train which would proceed from the station to the Syokimau Railway Station near the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and then onward to the Central Nairobi Railway terminus.
During the launch, Transport and Infrastructure Principal Secretary Charles Hinga assured the residents that the project would be completed in December 2019. He added that the aim of the project was to boost opportunities for the growth of the town and its residents.
“Once the modern railway station is complete, Kitengela residents will be served by a commuter train to Nairobi after every 30 minutes, a move we expect to open up the town for more business opportunities,” Hinga said.
Construction of the Nairobi Expressway has led to major inconveniences in the past months following its launch in early 2020.
Recent reports revealed that the construction disrupted waterways and drainage systems along Mombasa road. This led to heavy flooding and traffic along the busy highway.
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